The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Acts 21:13-14,
"Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done.'"
Paul was ready and willing to give his life for the Lord. He knew some things about the Lord that provided him a perspective that lent itself to his outlook on leaving this world behind to join the Lord. Paul told the Philippian church, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…" Philippians 1:21-23.
Possibly his perspective was shaped by the experiences he had with the Lord. He says of one occasion, "I know a man [Paul himself] in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell." 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
I suspect Paul shared the same understanding as David in Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
One thing is certain; Paul had such a heart for the Lord due to the Lord's mercy, kindness and love he had expressed to him that Paul was willing to give all he had to the Lord, including life itself! After all, isn't that exactly what the Lord gave up for him?
It has a way of bringing things into perspective, doesn't it?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.' When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done.'"
Paul was ready and willing to give his life for the Lord. He knew some things about the Lord that provided him a perspective that lent itself to his outlook on leaving this world behind to join the Lord. Paul told the Philippian church, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…" Philippians 1:21-23.
Possibly his perspective was shaped by the experiences he had with the Lord. He says of one occasion, "I know a man [Paul himself] in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell." 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
I suspect Paul shared the same understanding as David in Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
One thing is certain; Paul had such a heart for the Lord due to the Lord's mercy, kindness and love he had expressed to him that Paul was willing to give all he had to the Lord, including life itself! After all, isn't that exactly what the Lord gave up for him?
It has a way of bringing things into perspective, doesn't it?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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